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Bill would allow special‑education reimbursement to follow contracted virtual providers, witnesses say
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Summary
Senate Bill 383 would amend statutes to permit state special‑education categorical aid reimbursement for qualified special teachers who are under contract with third parties engaged by school districts; proponents said the change would allow virtual schools to receive reimbursement currently flowing to districts.
The Senate Committee on Education heard testimony on Senate Bill 383, which makes technical changes to two statutes to permit special education state aid reimbursement for qualified special teachers who provide approved special education and related services while under contract with a third party contracted by a school district.
Laura Hochman, school leader at Kansas Connections Academy (authorized through USD 218 in Elkhart), testified in full support. She said KCA enrolls about 1,300 students and that roughly 15% of those students (about 200) are on individualized education programs (IEPs) receiving specialized services. Hochman said KCA employs licensed teachers and provides full special education services but has not historically received categorical special education reimbursement, and that the bill’s language permitting reimbursement to non‑district‑employed service providers would help the virtual school cover the cost of required services.
Dr. Frank Harwood, Deputy Commissioner at the Kansas State Department of Education, provided neutral testimony and said the existing statute (KSA 72‑3411 and related provisions) already permits districts to be reimbursed for contracting with third parties for special education services. He said the issue prompting testimony appears to be contract terms between districts and virtual providers rather than a statutory prohibition, and he urged keeping language that reminds districts reimburse only appropriately licensed and qualified individuals.
Shannon Kimbell of the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) cautioned that expanding the pool of staff eligible for categorical reimbursement without increasing total funding could dilute the per‑staff reimbursement. Kimbell gave a budgeting example: if a district expected $28,000 per qualified staff and more staff qualified under the bill, the per‑staff reimbursement could fall and create a budget shortfall in an approved budget year. KASB suggested technical wording adjustments to clarify that qualifying staff must be currently contracted with a district.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about funding formulas, the flat rate for virtual students, and the interaction of interlocal agreements and co‑ops with reimbursement rules. No opponent testimony was offered and the hearing was closed; no final committee vote on SB 383 was recorded at this hearing.
